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The perfect study place is almost as important as the right study strategy. Finding the right place to study at can make studying a lot easier. Especially if you need to work on your concentration span, consistency is key. In this episode of my study series I want to introduce seven ideas for places to study at you might not have thought of, yet. Not every place I mention is suitable if you need consistency. There might just be places I really enjoy studying at, because they give me a certain vibe. Do you need some study place inspiration, or are you curious where I like to study? Keep reading to find out.

 

Study Place #1: The Library

The library is a popular place for high school, college, and university students to study at. It is quiet, you can easily access relevant books and the distractions are few. Personally, I only studied in the library when I was in High School, because it was convenient and they had computers with internet access. I haven’t once been to the library of my university, but a friend of mine swears on studying there. According to her the library atmosphere and the presence of other busy students basically forces you to study. Another plus: Access to your school library is often free. For me there is a huge disadvantage, though, You have to be at the library right when it opens in order to claim a spot.

 

 

Study Place #2: At home

Most of my friends, myself included, prefer to study in the comfort of our own homes. Unless you have roommates, there is really no one to distract you but yourself. On the flipside that also means that you are the only one to keep yourself accountable. It takes discipline to work when no one is watching, but an essential skill to have as a professional throughout your entire career. Studying at home can save you a lot of time otherwise lost on commute which you can then spend on relaxing or planning your future. Just make sure to get dressed in the morning as though you were leaving.

 

 

Study Place #3: University Study Rooms

Most universities provide rooms for their students to use for studying purposes. Ours feature wireless internet access, power outlets and obviously desks, just the basics. Some are quiet rooms, others are perfect for study groups to meet. They are scattered all over town and some are open 24/7. But there is one huge disadvantage: During exam weeks these places are vastly overcrowded. I only study at one of the universities study rooms, right before an exam (if there are empty seats left) or during the semester with study groups.

 

 

Study Place #4: Coffee Shop

If you have ever been to Starbucks you might have noticed all the people typing away on their laptops busily. In my hometown those people are mostly students studying. Although I never tried it myself, I can certainly see why people might like it. Coffee shops are busy, yet cozy. You can study by yourself and usually no one will bother you. Many students enjoy the coffee shop vibe, the background noise and don’t want to be alone all the time. Plus, coffee is never far.

 

 

Study Place #5: Park or Garden

Sometimes you get stuck with a problem that you just can’t solve, or you just can’t get facts into your head to save your life. This are usually signs that you need to take a walk and get some fresh air. Going outside is not only a good idea when you loose focus, though. I really enjoy studying in the garden or in a park (unless there is construction work nearby). The background noise, bird noises and the wind in the trees in particular, calm my nerves and give me a clear head for my studies. You don’t have to worry about getting enough oxygen, either.

 

 

Study Place #6: Hotel Rooms

Hotel rooms are less common study places, yet among my favorites. I love hotel rooms that provide a work desk with a nice lamp and chair. Does this make me a nerd? Probably! Working spaces in a hotel room make me feel like a powerful business woman. My best friend thinks I’m crazy because I study while on vacation, but I actually really enjoy it. There is no pressure, every minute spend studying is a bonus and makes me feel super productive. Sadly, there is no way I can afford to always study in a hotel room and even if it were possible, it would quickly loose its effect.

 

Study Place #7: In Transit

I spend a lot of time in transit. Hours spend on planes, trains, busses and in cars. In order to not waste all that time I try to study or do some kind of work, at least on trips where I spend more than half an hour in one vehicle. I would lie if I said that studying on a train or plane is super productive. Sometimes I have to read the same page three times and sometimes I can focus better than at home. Just like in hotel rooms, studying on the go makes me feel like a successful professional and I (almost) enjoy it. A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones can go a long way for studying in public places. I really like the Quiet Comfort 25 ones by BOSE.

 

That is all the places I like to study it or know people who like to study there. I hope this post gave you some ideas and inspired you. If you yet have to find your perfect study place I recommend you try some of the options on this list. Sometimes a change in scenery is all you need.

What do you think of my ideas for places to study at? Do you have something to add? Feel free to leave a comment below or write me an email: kayleighbonnchronicles@gmail.com

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Other posts in the study series:

How to create a perfect study plan

How to focus for longer

Healthy Study Snacks

Five Study Myths

How to deal with failure

 

Other post you might like:

How to fight winter blues

10 lessons I learned from #GIRLBOSS

 

All stock images are from Pexels.

This post is based soley on my personal experiences and has no scientific background. Please try out for yourself, what works for you.

In this post of my study series I am busting five tips that turned out to be a study myth. Studying is something everybody has to do at some point in their lives. Some people hate to have to do it and others quite enjoy doing it. There are tons of Instagram profiles that regularly post study inspiration and pictures of beautiful stationary. Some YouTube channels feature “study with me” videos and back to school hauls.

Whether I like studying or not depends on the subject. I enjoy studying for computer science courses, such as “modern operating systems”, but math? Not so much!

But no matter what the topic, it is essential to study with a clear strategy and the proper materials. You can find many thousands or maybe even millions of posts providing tips and advice on how to study effectively. Most of them are useful, but some are just a myth and can even hurt your productivity.

Are you curious to find out about some of the myths? Then keep on reading. I found 5 study tips that turned out to be nothing more than a study myth.

 

Study Myth #1: Absolute silence

You should have absolute quiet while studying! I heard that sentence more than I can count. From teachers, from my mom…but for me this couldn’t be further from the truth. How matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t focus without any sound around me, even when I’m doing some reading. I need at least some quiet meditation music in the background. Studies have shown that classical music can be beneficial for your ability to focus.  Everyone is different, though. So try different background noises or the lack thereof and find out what works for you. Try different styles of music, nature sounds or study at a café or in the park. I personally enjoy studying on a plane or listen to some Taylor Swift songs (because they remind me of a recent trip to NYC 😀 ), while solving homework problems. If you need some inspiration for places to study, stay tuned for next week’s post.

 

 

Study Myth #2: Drinking a lot of caffeine helps you stay focused

Everyone studying in movies or on TV shows always seems to drink cups and cups of coffee. To stay focused. To stay awake. We drink tons of caffeinated sodas and energy drinks, to pull all-nighters.

You feel like you can’t be productive without having your first cup ‘o Joe in the morning. Coffee has become a lifestyle beverage, a Starbucks cup is like a must-have accessory for successful career women.

But did you know that too much caffeine seriously mess up your focus? It can make you feel light headed and give you a hard time sitting still for more than five minutes.

To really help your productivity, treat coffee as a reward. That makes a good cup all the more delicious.

 

Study Myth #3: Real achievers don’t need breaks

If you are familiar with the Pomodoro method or read my tips on how to stay focused for longer periods of time, you already know of the importance breaks.

Books, movies and television shows view that differently, though. They portray studious and smart people as superhuman type individuals who are able to work non-stop, without any breaks.

I admit, there are actually some people that can work for one or even two hours, before they start losing focus, but most people are able to focus for no more than half an hour to forty-five minutes and then need a small break and be it a bathroom break.

 

 

Study Myth #4: Time spend studying equals success

This probably is the most common misconception about studying, but there luckily are plenty of posts out there, setting the record straight: “Study smarter, not harder!” That may sound too good to be true, yet it’s not, trust me.

You can study for days and days without a strategy and still don’t make as much progress as when studying for a couple of hours with a clear strategy. A good organization might be the most important part of the study process, not the time spend.

 

Study Myth #5: You need a study group

Another myth created by the movie industry. Sure, some topics are best studied in a group. You can ask questions and other student’s questions might help you gain a better understanding of the topic. That isn’t true for everyone, though. Some groups are constantly distracted and some students are not comfortable enough to even ask questions. In these cases you’d be better of studying by yourself. Also, when it comes to memorizing facts and vocabulary you are always better off studying alone and should only track your progress in a group. Again, experiment with different settings and find out what works best for you.

 

 

What do you think? Do you agree with this list? Do you have something to add? Feel free to leave a comment or write me: kayleighbonnchronicles@gmail.com

Please check out my other posts in the study series:

How to create a study plan

Healthy Study Snacks

How to deal with failure

How to stay focused for longer

 

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All stock images are from Pexels.

This post is based on my own experiences and not necessarily on research. Everyone has to do some experimenting to figure out what works best for themselves.

Whether it concerns university, high school, work or your personal life, everybody deals with failure at some point in their life. The first time I failed (that made me feel like a failure) was in my first year in university. Higher Mathematics 2. I did not study enough, I know that now, but at the time it crushed me. It made me feel dumb and unworthy to keep on studying electrical engineering. I even had nightmares. Two months later I retook the test and passed this time. Failure is hard, but there are tricks to ease the feeling of desperation that comes with it.

Put it into perspective

Okay. I know. There is nothing worse when you’re feeling like a failure and someone tells you to ‘just let it go’ or ‘see things positively’. Seriously? Don’t you think I try? Instead of ‘just letting it go’, try putting the failure into perspective. I’m not saying you should make excuses for yourself, but nobody is perfect and other people (even smart people) failed before you and others will fail after you. Just think about everything you’ve accomplished so far! It is most likely literally not the end of the world. Stop putting you under so much pressure. So you failed an exam or didn’t get the job you wanted? As much it annoys me to admit it: You can’t do anything about it now. You need to move forward. Retake the exam or find another dream job.

 

 

Make a game plan

Now that you have accepted that it’s not as bad as it initially felt like, you need to make a game plan to move on. There is another way to achieve what you want, you just need to find it and work for it. The structures of a plan will make you feel productive and in control. Think about it! What are the steps you need to take? How much time do you have? What kind of resources do you need? Handle it like a work project and don’t forget to reward yourself for every accomplishment. Read here to find out how to make the perfect study plan.

 

 

Journal

Journaling is very popular nowadays. Bullet journaling, junk journaling, travel journaling, bible journaling, one sentence or five minutes… you name it! One of the reasons for its popularity is its therapeutic effects. It can calm you and help you sort your mind. Exactly what you need right now. So go ahead and just write. Write about your feelings, your fears and your dreams. Don’t overthink it, it’s just for you.

 

Plan a pamper day

One of my favorite YouTubers, Hannah Ashton, dedicated an entire video to sharing her tips on turning around a bad day. My absolute fave: Pamper yourself. Make it a point to treat yourself. It doesn’t have to be an entire day, it may just be soaking in a bubble bath for an hour or watching one or two episodes of a show you love. If you are a planning geek, plan every minute. Do what you love. You deserve it from time to time. Self-care is not selfish as long as you don’t stop caring for others

 

 

Socialize

My go-to recipe for dealing with a bad day and overthinking everything is to socialize. Call your bestie. Plan an event with your friends. Have a girls night, Sunday-brunch with the girls, or just visit your family. Socializing will get your mind off of your troubles and better your mood. A career is not everything in life, be thankful for the people in your life.

 

What do you think of my tips? Do you have something to add? Feel free to leave a comment below or write me an email: kayleighbonnchronicles@gmail.com

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Other posts in the study series:

How to create a perfect study plan

How to focus for longer

Healthy Study Snacks

Five Study Myths

 

All stock images are from Pexels.

This post is based solely on my personal experiences and has no scientific background. Please try out for yourself, what works for you. In case you are experiencing depression, please seek out professional help.

In last week’s post, I shared my ten tips on how to stay focused for longer. One of those tips was concerning how important snacking the right foods during study sessions is. This post is all about how to choose the perfect healthy study snacks and the right brain foods for you. Some might be no-brainers, but some might just surprise you. Important characteristics of suitable snacks are, of course, their nutritional value, but also they leave your hands clean. Here are some ideas for healthy study snacks:

 

Nuts

Nuts are the most commonly known brain food. They contain 54% healthy fats, 21% carbs and 20% proteins, serving as a perfect energy source for your studies, without messing with your blood sugar. Plus: Nuts are yummy and all natural. If they are neither salted nor roasted nuts don’t grease up your hand and leave your notes all smudgy. To keep things interesting mix the nuts with raisins or other pieces of dried fruit. Just be careful to choose nonsticky fruits. Good ideas are dried bananas, dried apricots, dried dates, or dried figs.

 

Avocado toast

Yes, the most basic breakfast beside green juice! Anyone who has ever been on Instagram has seen tons and tons of shots of the perfect avocado toast. Avocado toast is not only healthy (at least when you make it whole grain toast), but, like nuts, contain healthy fats and carbs that can help you to focus on your assignments for longer. Spice things up by adding dried tomatoes, or fresh basil. Hungry, then add fried eggs. Go low on the oil, though in order to keep it healthy.

 

Fresh fruit

I already mentioned dried fruit, but fresh fruits are an even more effective study snack. They are refreshing, full of vitamins and also low in calories. That makes them the perfect snack when you get the munchies and need something to chew on, other than gum. Grapes, berries and orange slices are not only yummy but also won’t make your hands sticky. They are also my favorite of the mentioned healthy study snacks.

 

Date Bites

While the taste of those bad boys might not be for everybody, but if you like them they are a perfect alternative to store-bought candy. Like nuts and fruits, they are all natural, vegan and raw. All you need to make them is a food processor, dates and other ingredients of your choosing. The possibilities are endless. You can find tons and tons of different date bite recipes on Pinterest and vegan blogs.

 

Greek yogurt and granola

Greek yogurt and granola is another breakfast classic and perfects if you need something more filling. My personal favorite is homemade vanilla granola on top of greek yogurt with vanilla flavor. Be frugal with the granola, though. Granola is sugary and can mess up your blood sugar. For a fresh twist, add fresh fruit and berries. So tasty!

 

Boiled eggs

I love eggs, no matter how they are prepared; chicken eggs, that is. So naturally I have to include them in my study snack list. Eggs are healthy, especially when prepared without fat and they are filling e.g. boiled. So don’t overdo it or you will feel too tired to study.

 

Smoothie

I’m sure we can all agree that smoothies are delicious. They come in all kinds of flavors and with varying nutritional values. For study sessions, you don’t want to make them too sweet or too rich. Go easy on the protein powder and the peanut butter and try replacing some fruits with veggies. Spinach, for example, is great, because you don’t taste it; your smoothie is just less sweet. Just put the ingredients you have already at home in a mixer or go on Pinterest to find some great recipes. Water, orange juice, plant-based milk or just water are a perfect base for a smoothie.

 

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All images are from pexels.

 

Did you like my ideas for healthy study snacks or did I miss something? Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email: kayleighbonnchronicles@gmail.com

One of the most important skills when it comes to studying for university finals – or really, anything – is the ability to focus for longer periods of time. Sometimes it can feel quite impossible. However, there are a few tips that can help you stay focused for longer. Here are some that I personally use for my studying:

Take enough breaks

Let’s start with one of the most commonly known studying tips that can’t be stretched enough. Take a sufficient amount of breaks. Don’t try to just push through. Trust me, it doesn’t work. When you plan on studying the entire day, there is no way you will make it through more than one hour before you lose focus. There are different opinions on how to choose the most efficient work-to-break ratio. I personally like the Pomodoro Method. I work for 25 minutes and then I relax for five minutes and repeat. After three to four hours I usually take a one to two-hour break. The five-minute break is perfect to stretch a little, get some water and hit the bathroom, while an hour allows a walk and a bigger meal.

Drink enough water

Dehydration can make you feel lightheaded and even dizzy. Not the perfect precondition to stay focused. You should always have water within reach. I also found that I really enjoy unsweetened tea during a long study or work sessions. However, stay away from sugary or sweetened drinks and too much caffeine. They will cause spikes in your blood sugar which in turn screw up your focus.

Snack the right brain fuel

To keep your focus level steady you need to snack the right foods. It can be tempting to only eat junk food and drink diet sodas (guilty as charged) all day and snack entire chocolate bars when you are super frustrated and overwhelmed with your work. I’ve been there, too (and sometimes fall back into that habit), but eating unhealthy will make you feel bloated and that will make it harder to stay focused. An instant way to feel better when you let yourself go is to go and work out for a bit. Good snacks are nuts, dark chocolate, and fruit.

Study regularly

Practice makes perfect. You already know this, right? Your parents probably told you this all the time. But did you know it also applies to studying? When you don’t study regularly you might not only feel overwhelmed when you start studying for an exam, but you also will not be able to focus for long. To motivate you to study regularly it is best to create a study schedule, so you can be your most efficient.

Block out any distractions to stay focused

This might feel like a no-brainer, but I actually struggle with this one. I don’t enjoy the absolute quiet, so I am always tempted to listen to music or even have a Netflix show on in the background. While some music works fine (especially classical music) when solving problems or doing practice questions, but when I need to read some new information I, for one, need absolute quiet. I recommend investing in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones to block out any noise when you prefer working at a coffee shop. I love the Bose Quiet Comfort 25.

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All photos are from Pexels.

Am I missing any important tips? Do you have a question? Feel free to leave a comment below or message me on social media:).